Lokata SSB Receiver

[MedMan]

I have a Lokata Synthesised Marine Receiver which is a superb piece of kit built like a tank. Unfortunately, the 10 pre-set channels no longer 'remember' when the power is off so I have to tune in by hand every time. I guess there must be a rechargable battery inside that has died. However, when I took it apart there was no battery in the easy-to-see places. Any deeper in would involve removing the large pcb but I am reluctant to attempt that without knowing that I am on the right track.

Has anyone any experience of this problem with this radio? If so, I would love to hear from you!

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[Bergman]

Don't know the Lokata set specifically but it will almost certainly have a lithium cell in somewhere, probably on the circuit board containing the processor that controls the frequency synthesiser. The lithium cell is a watch battery very small size. That will be the source of your problem.

Best of luck with it.

 

[SailingDoc]

Interesting comment: I have a Lokata Synthesised Marine Receiver, sitting on the shelf, awaiting inspiration to try to revive it. It worked (just) when I bought the boat but soon refused to 'hold' the saved channels. So maybe I should seek out the back-up battery.

Brian

 

[MedMan]

Let me know if you find it. I'd love to know where to look!

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[SailingDoc]

I had a thoroughly good look but couldn't spot any back-up battery. However, an addendum to the manual says that if the receiver is left for more than three months without power, the back-up battery will run down and will need recharging by leaving the set powered up for 12 hours. So, I guess there is a back-up battery somewhere in there! The nearest I could see was a 2200 mfd. capacitor, which could hold a charge for several hours but unlikely 3 months!
I shall connect it all up and leave it on for 12 hours, see what happens...

Brian

 

[MedMan]

Good luck. Mine is powered up for 9 months of the year without interuption as it shares a circuit with the Navtex. It could be that I have cooked the battery rather than run it down!

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[lauradee]

the batteries can look like all sorts of things but what most have in common is that they have 3 legs soldered to the board, look like a capacitor some times, but sometimes like an alloy dish about 1/2 inch long.
when you find it give us apm and ill source one for you from my trade catalogue
stu

 

[MedMan]

Thanks for the offer. The boat is in Greece so it will be a while before I get the chance to have another look.

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[Deleted member 478]

Try this website http://www.stingo.co.uk - now showing at a computer near you

 

[MedMan]

Thankyou very much indeed - a most useful contact. I have looked at the site and will now e-mail David direct.

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[MedMan]

Instant reply from David Searle

I received a reply from David Searle within 30 minutes - and on a Sunday. I call that amazing! He said:

In taking the unit apart, you probably got quite close to the battery.
It is located on the processor/display board on the component side,
under the keypad.
If you are happy to take the unit apart to that level, you could take
the processor board to a component supplier and show them the battery.
Alternatively, you are welcome to send the whole unit to me.
If you do the work yourself, have a good look at the pcb around the
battery. An old battery that has been on charge may have leaked and
damaged the trackwork. This is ok, you can repair tracks and clean up
and mess, and replace any components that have developed green legs!

The was designed for the battery to be on charge for long periods, and
they have an average life of about 5 years, sometimes more.

To get at the display board, remove the outer case.
Locate and remove 6 screws which hold the silver metal chassis to the
plastic front panel. Observe the connectors which connect the processor
board to the rest of the unit, and the one which connects the volume
control etc.
The processor board is screwed to the plastic front panel with 6 or 8
screws. remove these and the board will come away, note the connector
under here which connects the keypad. You'll see the battery on the
board.


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[SailingDoc]

I now have the receiver powered up, here alongside me on the workbench. Works fine....must be the salt air it doesn't like, or some dodgy 12v. supply wiring. Tomorrow I shall install it back on board and see what happens. Perhaps it just needs an 'always-on' supply. I honestly saw no sign of a 'conventional' backup battery; anyway, it holds the memories when turned off for a few minutes. We'll see.
Brian

 

[Strathglass]

Sometimes the hold on supply is just a large capacitor with some very low current drain hold on circuit.

Iain